NFL Insider reveals Kansas City Chiefs had interest in WR Jauan Jennings — but they were always a long shot to sign him
The Kansas City Chiefs had shown interest in new Minnesota Vikings WR Jauan Jennings, along with the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. We take a look at what it means and why it didn’t happen.
The Kansas City Chiefs were reportedly among the teams interested in signing WR Jauan Jennings, one of the top remaining free agents. However, Jennings signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings this week.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter revealed that the Chiefs were among the teams that had interest in Jennings.
“I was told that there were a few other teams,” Schefter said. “I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested. The Vikings were the only team he wound up visiting at all. The Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings. Ultimately, he got a one-year deal from Minnesota worth up to $13 million dollars, it’s about $8 million dollars in base pay. Ideally, you want to get these deals done early in free agency, but (Jauan Jennings) was able to salvage a pretty good situation.”
This shouldn’t come as a surprise after Kansas City made no substantial wide receiver investment in free agency or the draft. They took Cincinnati WR Cyrus Allen on Day 3, but that was the extent of new additions beyond undrafted free agency.
Brett Veach also recently confirmed that he had been in contact with the agents of several free agents. Beyond Jennings not giving other teams a chance to sign him after taking his visit with the Vikings, this option always felt like a long shot for the Chiefs.
WR Jauan Jennings Stats & Facts
A former seventh-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers out of the University of Tennessee in the 2020 NFL Draft. The 28-year-old spent all five seasons in the NFL with the 49ers.
- Receptions: 210
- Yards: 2,581
- Touchdowns: 22
The Chiefs were always going to be a long shot to sign Jauan Jennings
It’s easy to see the appeal here. Beyond the Chiefs’ lack of investment at wide receiver, consider that Jennings had a monster performance against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. He didn’t start the game, but caught four passes on five targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. The former quarterback also completed a 21-yard touchdown to Christian McCaffrey for a score.
There are really two reasons why I believe Jennings was a long shot to sign with Kansas City. The first is that he has some role-related redundancy with Rashee Rice and Jalen Royals. They both play that power slot position and do it well. It’s not a bad thing to have. I’m just not sure the Chiefs would’ve been in at the amount Minnesota paid. I am also not sure that Jennings would’ve felt he could get the type of volume he needs to earn a better contract in the future. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Kansas City, while he has a defined role with the Vikings.
The second part of this is the financial element. Kansas City needs to make another contract-related move to complete the signing of its draft class. This was a one-step decision for Minnesota, but it would’ve taken some more nuance and planning from the Chiefs.
What this could mean for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice in 2027
I do think the lack of a move to sign a player like Jennings could be good news for Rashee Rice. It could give him a greater chance to stick beyond his rookie contract. When he’s been healthy and out of trouble, the Chiefs have liked the on-field product. The problem is that he’s seldom been able to stay healthy and out of trouble at the same time. A fully healthy 2026 NFL season, along with keeping his nose clean, could go a very long way. He’ll also need a productive year. If everything comes together, he could earn some sort of contract extension in Kansas City during the 2027 NFL offseason.